Mexico flu deaths raise fears of global epidemic

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Mexico shut down schools, museums, libraries and state-run theaters across its overcrowded capital Friday in hopes of containing a swine flu outbreak that authorities say killed at least 20 people — and perhaps dozens more. World health authorities worried openly that the strange new virus could become a global epidemic.

Mexico flu deaths raise fears of global epidemic - Infectious diseases- msnbc.com

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090425/...xico_swine_flu

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

I know and we are heading for Mexico in a few weeks. I don't know what to do? To be honest, you can't escape it anymore because this flu is already in the USA and in other countries too. I hope it won't be an epidemic but the bird flu didn't get that bad and they feared that too.

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

I know and we are heading for Mexico in a few weeks. I don't know what to do?

Sorry to post such awful news Emmy. Certainly not nice to hear about when you a planning a lovely holiday. I guess the best you can do is check the travel warnings regularly and decide closer to the time.

She said the United Nations agency saw no need at this point to issue travel advisories warning travelers not to go to parts of Mexico or the United States. WHO says it is in daily contact with U.S., Canadian and Mexican authorities and had activated its command and control center for acute public health events.


The WHO will convene a meeting of its Emergency Committee on international health regulations, probably on Saturday afternoon, she added.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Thus far there have been no reports of this in Coastal areas....below is copy of what I receive as an ex-pat living abroad registered with Guad. US Embassy.....

Dear Wardens,

Although we have received no reports of flu concerns in our consular district, we are sharing the Mission Mexico warden message with you. Please let us know if you become aware of any illnesses in your area.

Regards,

Janie Friedlein

ACS Chief

American Citizens Services

U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara

Picture (Device Independent Bitmap)

United States Consulate General Guadalajara

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO

AS MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS AS POSSIBLE

Warden Message #06 FY2009

April 24, 2009

Flu Outbreak in Mexico

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico advises that as a precaution, Mexican authorities closed all schools in the Federal District and in the State of Mexico on April 24, 2009 as the Mexican Secretariat of Health announced hundreds of cases of flu in the country, some of which may be the H1N1 strain of “swine flu”. Some other public institutions, such as museums and government offices, are also closed. Exact numbers of the people infected with the various strains of flu are unavailable. The U.S. Embassy has no additional information about closures.

The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Mexico that most cases of influenza are not “swine flu”; any specific questions or concerns about flu or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Although the U.S. Embassy cannot give medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at the following link: Embajada de E.U. - Asistencia Mdica (Spanish)

If case of illness or injury - US Embassy Mexico City (English)

At this time the Mexican Secretariat of Health urges people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, or using the subway. Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons may decrease the risk of exposure. In addition, the following prevention tips are from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website:

1. Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4. Clean your hands.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

For additional information, please consult the CDC website at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the website of the World Health Organization at www.who.int. The U.S. Embassy will also post additional information as it becomes available at: :: Embajada de los Estados Unidos en México ::.

American Citizens Services

U.S. Embassy Mexico City

Paseo de la Reforma #305

Col Cuauhtemoc; Mexico, D. F., Mexico CP 06500

Tel: (011)(52)(55) 5080-2000

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

For after-hours, emergencies only, call (011)(52)(55) 5080-2000, ext. “0”, and ask to speak to the Duty Officer.

e-mail: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov; website: :: Embajada de los Estados Unidos en México ::

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Quarantine measures are being implemented at a number of airports/entry points around the world. Hong Kong and Taiwan say visitors to infected areas who have fevers will be quarantined — a precaution the Philippines is also considering. Indonesia has increased surveillance and has said it was ready to quarantine suspected victims if necessary.

There are quite a few places that I wouldn't like to be placed in quarantine so, whilst flights are cheap at the moment, I might sit and watch for a bit.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

We currently have plans for 10 of us to go to Cancun over Memorial Day. First with the violence and now with this, we are beginning to rethink our plans. We have three units at the Royal Mayan via II exchanges. How late can we cancel and still get something back from II?

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

We live most of the year just south of Tijuana. There is talk there of closing the border. Hopefully, they won't need to do that, but we didn't want to be unable to cross into the U.S., so we returned yesterday instead of a month later. We hated to leave--beautiful weather, seeing our friends, etc. However, it's rather like evacuating before a hurricane. If you wait until you know it is definitely going to hit your area, you stand a chance of not being able to get out. If you leave early, you stand a chance of having left foolishly because the hurricane came nowhere near your area.

We were told that there are border checkpoints already established for checking people who appear to be ill and they are prepared to close the border if necessary. Hopefully, like the bird flu, this will turn out not to be a terrible hazard.....but we're back in the U.S. anyway.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

8 students in New York's St Francis confirmed with swine flu

Swine flu confirmed in NYC high school students

One of my niece's goes to school here.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

The problem is that so many students went to Mexico over Easter break and brought it home. Mexico was late in identifying this flu and reporting it to the proper health authorities. I read that a pilot got sick from British Airways too as he flew to and from Mexico. Google has a swine flu map, I heard so I am going to look it up.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

New Zealand has been added to the map. Here is a link and you can make it smaller to see the whole world.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

New Zealand has been added to the map. Here is a link and you can make it smaller to see the whole world.

Thanks for the map Emmy.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

What is bad is that there are a lot more markers on the map now. Also, I was wrong in my post. It wasn't a pilot that got sick but a crew member may be sick. I read that in a blog somewhere but this seems to be more accurate. I hope it doesn't get much worse.

Mexico will really get hurt when people no longer dare to travel there if they may close the border. We have to play it by ear. I may come and visit you (NYC) first!

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Swine flu confirmed in NYC high school students

One of my niece's goes to school here.

Lawren, I just read the article. They are all mild cases of that flu so I hope your niece is OK. Let us know.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

Travelers' Health | CDC

The CDC Travel Page--accurate information. They aren't recomending at this time that people avoid travel.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Thank you for this web site as it is very helpful.